U.S. women’s national team head coach Emma Hayes selected a rostered that mixed old with new for the October window, celebrating the Olympic gold medal team while also allowing younger players to state their case.
In the final minute of Sunday’s second match against Iceland, Emma Sears did just that, recording an assist and scoring a goal in her debut.
The Racing Louisville forward came into the game in the 55th minute for another first-time USWNT call-up, Yazmeen Ryan. Sears, who was selected in the second round of the 2024 NWSL Draft by Racing after a successful college career with Ohio State, had an instant impact. She assisted Lynn Williams’ equalizer in the 72nd minute after the U.S. spent 20 minutes trailing their opponent and added the final goal of the 3-1 win three minutes into stoppage time. She’s the fourth player to record both in her U.S. debut.
“It happened really fast,” Sears said about her assist to Williams. “I think a lot of it is just instinct. But I remember seeing Lynn in front of the goal, so I tried to just keep the ball in the goal, the frame of the goal. And yeah, it worked out.”
The 23rd player in USWNT history to score in her first cap: Emma Sears!!!#USWNT x @VW pic.twitter.com/OTfoM3xWv9
— U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team (@USWNT)
